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Shot Tower Historical State Park, Max Meadows, VA

Photo: Wikipelli, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sightseeing

Shot Tower Historical State Park

A small Virginia state park centered on a 200-year-old lead shot tower overlooking the New River.

116 Orphanage Dr., Max Meadows, VA 24360 · Max Meadows, VA

About Shot Tower Historical State Park

This small day-use state park in southwestern Virginia protects the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower, built over two centuries ago to make ammunition for early settlers. Workers melted lead from nearby Austinville mines in a kettle at the top, then let it drop through a sieve into water below. Visitors can climb the tower, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and read interpretive signs about its history. The park covers about 10 acres and sits beside the New River Trail, so it pairs well with a walk or bike ride. Group tours are available by calling ahead, and the tower is open on scheduled summer days.

  • #historic tower
  • #National Register of Historic Places
  • #New River
  • #day use
  • #New River Trail

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